Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) intends to strengthen suicide prevention nationwide and provide better support to the responsible federal states and local municipalities. A draft law covering this topic, which the “Rheinische Post” is reporting on, has now been submitted to the interdepartmental consultation process of the Federal Government. The primary goal of the proposed law is to improve and strengthen the prevention of suicide attempts and suicides through measures focused on information, education, research, and support.
Among the provisions in the draft law is the establishment of a “Federal Expert Office for Suicide Prevention.” This office is slated, among other tasks, to develop a concept for a nationwide standardized crisis service hotline, involving the participation of the federal states. Furthermore, the draft outlines the creation of a specialist advisory board tasked with consulting the Expert Office. The federal states are also required to work towards the extensive and needs-based expansion of crisis services. Additionally, the draft suggests implementing pilot projects focused on suicide prevention measures.
The necessity for this legislation is underscored by the fact that approximately 10,000 people die by suicide annually in Germany-a number exceeding those from illegal drug overdoses, road accidents, and HIV combined. According to ministerial figures, while the number of registered suicides has remained relatively stable around 10,000 cases per year for over a decade, there has been a recent upward trend.
